Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

SEJAH FARM OF THE VIRGIN ISLAND COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)

What is a CSA?
A Community Supported Agriculture or CSA provides a direct relationship between consumers and farmers. The goal of this relationship is to provide solutions to the problems of food quality, nutrition, community building, sustainability and quality of life. This method can benefit both farmer and consumer in many ways.

CSA’s are arrangements based on a contractual agreement between a farmer and a consumer. A CSA concept is that the consumer, often described as a “shareholder” or “member”, usually purchases a “share” or “membership” prior to the growing season. Members can rely on fresh, local produce throughout the season. As each crop comes in throughout the growing season, members receive their share, often once or twice a week. The size of the shares varies in quantity and variety. The produce is picked up by members at the farm.

Our CSA arrangement may provide consumer to get involved in the production of their food. We may work out agreements with shareholders that reduce the cost of a share in exchange for labor, or voluntary labor. We may also encourage members to simply visit the farm to see how their food is grown and how the farm operates. Other ideas include having work-days, open-house days, picnics, or festivals on the farm.

Becoming a member of a CSA arrangement may not be practical for everyone. There are several things to consider before deciding to join.

Being a member may mean reorienting your household’s food habits and routines. Shares you receive from a CSA arrangement are seasonal or on availability; variety is limited to what’s in season. Therefore, you will need to learn to eat in season with new varieties of produce.
It may also be important to learn different cooking, storing and preserving techniques. Members have to be prepared to deal with the food once they receive it before it spoils. This is often a new challenge for many members.

Find out how the food will be distributed and being able to pick up your weekly share. Evaluate your time to determine if you can spend time volunteering or visiting the farm.

If a CSA arrangement works for you, the benefits are great. Besides enjoying, fresh, great tasting, local food, you become directly connected to your source. You will be supporting a small farm and contributing to your local economy. There is also the opportunity to see how your food is grown. Another great benefit is the chance to build community with farmers and other shareholders.

You may call 340-277-6046/9392 if you would like to ask a question/s or you would like to participate in Sejah Farm CSA or email us at sejahfarm@unitedstates.vi

We are open daily Monday thru Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 7am to 5pm. Please call 340-773-8065 if there are any specific local produce you will like to have during our normal business hours.

WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Sejah Farm of the Virgin Islands is a proud participant of the VI Department of Agriculture WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
This project is a partnership between: USDA Food & Nutrition Service, VI Department of Agriculture and VI WIC. For more information Contact: The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (340) 778-0997 ext. 239
We are open Monday thru Friday10am to 5pm and Saturday 7am to 5pm. If you are WIC recipient and participating in the FMNP Program visit us and you may be able to make purchases with your coupon checks at our Farmers' Market

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Winter growing season
Sejah Farm of the Virgin Islands is now accepting applications for its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program. Sejah Farm VI Produce CSA begins Saturday Sejah Farm VI Fall Produce CSA Agreement November 03, 2018 and end Saturday January 26, 2019 Winter" growing season. You may visit our website and download the agreement or pick up an agreement at our farmers market Monday thru Saturday. We will be accepting applications for this season Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) up until Saturday November 03, 2018 . All members will be update weekly for their share pick up. Share pick up will be at Sejah Farm Farmers' Market on Saturdays from 7am to 5pm. For further information please call 340-773-8065 or 340-277-6046/9392 .
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Visit our blog at http://sejahfarm.com/blog/ and make comment, suggestion, ask questions or ideas related to agriculture in the Virgin Islands or on agricultural production topic of your choice.

DIRECTIONS TO FARM
We are located on Casper Holstein Drive. We are at the last farm gate traveling north from the Old Bethlehem Sugar Factory toward Calquohoun Road or the first farm gate traveling south from Calquohoun road toward Bethlehem Sugar Factory.